Motion simulator operating system and method

ABSTRACT

A control system for a motion simulator and the associated method of operating the motion simulator. The control system contains a memory. Within the memory is a plurality of pre-programmed maneuvers that are capable of being simulated by the motion simulator. An interface is provided that enables a person to select some of the pre-programmed maneuvers from the memory in a desired sequence, prior to that person entering the motion simulator. Once a certain sequence of maneuvers is selected, the motion simulator simulates those maneuvers in the chosen sequence. This enables each rider of the motion simulator to design his/her own simulation each time that person uses the motion simulator. The control system also enables a rider to program the motion simulator at the sight of the motion simulator or at home, via a personal computer. As such, a rider can select a sequence of maneuvers and create a ride at home and carry the selected sequences to the motion simulator on disk or send the selected sequences to the motion simulator via a telecommunications link.

This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 08/760,485 filedDec. 5, 1996 now Pat. No. 5,827,065.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the operating systems used to controlmotion simulators and the methods used to program the movements of amotion simulator.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Motion simulators are used in many applications to both train andentertain people. In both training based simulators and entertainmentbased simulators, motion mechanisms are used to physically move theperson in the simulator in a variety of different directions. Theprimary difference between training simulators and entertainmentsimulators is typically the control systems used to operate thesimulator. In training simulators, such as flight simulators, thecontrols for operating the simulator are mostly occupant controlled. Asa result, the motion of the simulator depends directly from theoperation of the controls within the simulator by the simulatoroccupant. Such prior art simulator systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat.No. 5,453,011 to Feuer et al., entitled FLIGHT SIMULATOR and U.S. Pat.No. 5,453,011 to Pancoe, entitled MOTION SYSTEM FOR A FLIGHT SIMULATOR.

Entertainment based motion simulators typically assume that the occupantof the simulator is unskilled. As such, entertainment based motionsimulators differ from training based simulators in that they often donot provide the simulator occupant with any operational controls.Entertainment based motion simulators are often configured to simulatetraditional amusement park rides, such as roller coasters and the like,that do not have occupant controls. In such simulators, the occupant ismerely a rider who receives amusement from the ride. As a result, insuch simulators the occupant experiences a sequence of movements thatare pre-programmed into the motion simulator. Each time a rider entersthe motion simulator, the rider experiences the exact same ride. Suchentertainment based motion simulators are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.5,403,238 to Baxter et al., entitled AMUSEMENT PARK ATTRACTION; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,473,990 to Anderson et al, entitled RIDE VEHICLE CONTROLSYSTEM.

It is well known in the art that in a motion simulator there are threeseparate systems that must be coordinated in order to properly simulatemovement. These systems include the visual imagery system, the audiosound system and the physical motion system. If any one of these threesystems is not synchronized with the other two, then the realism of thesimulation is compromised. Entertainment based motion simulators tend tobe much less sophisticated and expensive than are training based motionsimulators because in entertainment based motion simulators the visualimages, audio sounds and physical motions are exactly the same in everysimulation. Since the simulated ride remains constant, the visualimages, audio sounds and physical movements are easily stored andretrieved by the control system of the motion simulator. However, inorder to change the simulated ride, new imagery must be obtained, a newaudio track must be recorded and the motion simulator must bereprogrammed with new movements. As a result, if an amusement providerwants to make a change in a set simulated ride, there is a significantamount of labor and cost involved in the process.

Training based motion simulators do not have one set visual system,audio system or motion sequence. As a result, no two simulations need tobe the same. This however, requires a highly sophisticated operationalcontrol system so that the changing visuals audio and motions systemscan be kept coordinated. The sophisticated operational control system isexpensive, as is the upkeep to the associated equipment.

Simulated rides are becoming more popular forms of entertainment. Ownersof simulated rides recognize the benefit of simulated rides in that theyare far less expensive than building real rides and they are safer thanreal rides. A problem with all amusement rides is that of riderfamiliarity. After a person rides a ride, that ride becomes familiar. Assuch, there is less of a reason for that person to ride that ride againfor the second or third time. Furthermore, as a ride is repeatedly rodeupon, the excitement and sense of anticipation provided by the ride isdiminished. Eventually, the sense of thrill is lost and there is noincentive for a person to ride that ride or even return to the locationthat provides that ride.

A need therefore exists in the art for a simulated ride that can beinexpensively manufactured that would enable the simulated ride to bevaried every time a person rides the ride. In such a ride, the sense ofthrill and anticipation provided by the ride is never lost and a rideris provided with an incentive to ride the ride over and over.

A need also exists for a simulated ride that enables the occupant toselectively alter the ride prior to its start, without requiring acomplex, expensive operating system to provide the coordinated visual,audio and movement sequences needed to produce the simulation.

These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimedbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a control system for a motion simulator and theassociated method of operating the motion simulator. The presentinvention is used in association with a motion simulator that is capableof simulating certain maneuvers. The control system contains a memory.Within the memory is a plurality of pre-programmed maneuvers that arecapable of being simulated by the motion simulator. An interface isprovided that enables a person to select some of the pre-programedmaneuvers from the memory in a desired sequence, prior to that personentering the motion simulator. Once a certain sequence of maneuvers isselected, the motion simulator simulates those maneuvers in the chosensequence. This enables each rider of the motion simulator to designhis/her own simulation each time that person uses the motion simulator.The control system also enables a rider to program the motion simulatorat the eight of the motion simulator or at home, via a personalcomputer. As such, a rider can select a sequence of maneuvers and createa ride at home and carry the selected sequences to the motion simulatoron disk or send the selected sequences to the motion simulator via atelecommunications link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a motion simulator and simulatorcontrol system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmented view of a section of the display andselection grid used on the exemplary simulator control system of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 3 is a logic flow bock diagram schematic for the simulator controlsystem of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention motion simulator control system can beused with any motion simulator that is capable of simulating anamusement ride, by way of example the present invention simulatorcontrol system will be described in association with a motion simulatorthat is designed to simulate a roller coaster. Such a configuration ispresented merely for exemplary purposes and is not intended in anymanner to limit the application of the present invention simulatorcontrol system to just one type of ride.

Referring to FIG. 1., a notion simulator 10 is shown. The motionsimulator 10 can be of any type known in the art. However, in thepreferred embodiment, the motion simulator 10 is of the type describedin U.S. patent application No. 08/383,992, entitled IMPROVED MOTIONSIMULATOR, which is assigned to the assignee herein and is hereinincorporated into this disclosure by reference. The motion simulator 10is coupled to a central controller 12 that contains the presentinvention control system and performs the present invention operatingmethod.

In the shown embodiment, the central controller 12 acts as the interfacethat enables a rider to selectively program the motion simulator 10 to acustom specification. In accordance with the present invention, thecentral controller 12 can be programmed in at least one of threedifferent ways by each rider. The first way to program the centralcontroller 12 is to program the central controller 12 at the sight ofthe motion simulator 10. To program the central controller 12 on-sight,an interface system 14 such as a touch screen 16 or a key board 18 isprovided on the central controller 12. Using the interface system 14, arider can selectively create and/or select a simulated ride to bepreformed by the motion simulator 10. A second way to program thecentral controller 12 is to provide the central controller 12 with adisk drive 20 or a similar device capable or reading recorded data. Thedisk drive 20 enables a rider to download a previously created programfor a simulated ride that was created at a remote location and wascarried to the motion simulator 10. Lastly, the rider can retrieve apreviously created program that was downloaded to the central controller12 through a modem 21, via the internet or a direct telephone connectionfrom the rider's own personal computer. Each of these programmingoptions will be further explained in the course of this disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, a segment of an exemplary embodiment of the centralcontroller's interface system is illustrated. In the shown embodiment,the interface system is a touch screen 16. At the top of the touchscreen 16 is a simulated ride display box 22. The simulated ride displaybox 22 is segmented into ten sections 24 by way of example. However, anyplurality of segments can be used. By presenting a simulated ridedisplay box 22 with ten sections 24, a rider is provided with theability to select ten different aspects of the simulated ride. In eachof the sections 24 of the simulated ride display box 22 is contained agraphical representation that illustrates a preprogrammed maneuver thatthe motion simulator 10 (FIG. 1) will eventually follow. By stringingtogether ten separate maneuvers in the simulated ride display box 22, agraphical representation is obtained that illustrates all the maneuversthe motion simulator 10 (FIG. 1) will follow from start to finish.

Below the simulated ride box 22 is the selection field 26. In theselection field 26 there is contained a plurality of maneuver boxes 28,wherein each of the maneuver boxes 28 contains a different maneuver.Since the exemplary embodiment shown is for a roller coaster simulator,each of the maneuver boxes 28 in the selection field 26 contains adifferent segment of roller coaster track. Each segment of track isdifferent. As a result, each maneuver box 28 in the selection field 26represents a different motion maneuver to be performed by the motionsimulator 10 (FIG. 1).

Each of the plurality of different maneuvers represented by the imagesin the maneuver boxes 28 of the selection field 26 contains acombination or physical movements capable of being performed by themotion simulator 10 (FIG. 1). As such, if the motion simulator used waslimited to only certain motions, maneuvers containing only those motionswould be presented.

When first accessed by a rider, the different sections 24 of thesimulated ride box 22 are empty or contain some popular defaultmaneuvers. By selecting the different sections 24 in the simulated ridebox 22 and then selecting different maneuver boxes 28 in the selectionfield 26, any desired string of maneuvers boxes 28 can be created in thesimulated ride box 22. In order for the maneuvers represented by any twomaneuver boxes 28 to work together, the maneuvers represented by eachmaneuver box 28 must begin and end with the motion simulator 10 (FIG. 1)in the same orientation. By beginning and ending each motion simulatormaneuver at the same orientation, there is no sudden change in motionsimulator's orientation as the maneuver represented by one maneuver boxends and the maneuver represented by a second selection box begins. Thisprovides for a continuous simulated ride that does not have disruptionsfrom its beginning to its end, regardless of the sequence of maneuversselected. In the shown embodiment, each maneuver box 28 starts and endswith a maneuver that places the motion simulator in a horizontal forwardfacing orientation. Such an orientation is exemplary and it should beunderstood that any orientation can be used provided that orientationbegins and ends each of the maneuvers represented by the maneuver boxes26.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that once the segments of thesimulated ride box 22 (FIG. 2) are filled with a selected sequence ofmaneuvers, the central controller reads the selected sequence, asindicated by box 30. Once read, the central controller downloads datafrom a memory source 32 that corresponds to each of the maneuversselected. For each maneuver selected, the corresponding visualinformation, audio information and motion sequence information isretrieved. Since the only choices of maneuvers are those represented inthe maneuver boxes 28 (FIG. 2) in the selection field 26 (FIG. 2), thememory source 32 contains a finite number of maneuvers. Accordingly, alarge memory capacity is not required, nor is the sophisticatedprogramming required of simulators that do not have limited maneuverchoices.

Once the appropriate visual, audio and motion information is retrievedfrom the memory source 32 and sequenced, the data is loaded into motionsimulator as is indicated by block 34. The central controller waits foran indication that the rider has entered the motion simulator and hasbeen safety seated within the motion simulator. Such an indication cancome from a ride operator or can come from sensors within the motionsimulator. Once safely positioned within the motion simulator, themotion simulator begins to execute the selected maneuvers whilecoordinated images and sound are viewed and heard by the rider withinthe simulator. This is shown by block 36.

Returning to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the interface system 14 alsooptionally contains an alpha-numeric keypad 18. By using thealpha-numeric keypad 18, a rider can retrieve a sequence of maneuverscreated on a home computer and carried to the motion simulator on a disk40. The program needed to create the simulated ride at home can bemailed to the rider or downloaded via the modem 21 either from theinternet or directly from the motion simulator owner.

An amusement provider can therefore have each rider custom program themotion simulator 10 to that rider's own specifications each time thatrider rides the motion simulator 10. Consequently, the rider does notgrow familiar with the ride offered by the motion simulator 10 and thesimulator owner does not have to periodically reprogram the motionsimulator 10 to keep the ride interesting. Furthermore by providingriders with the ability to program the motion simulator 10 at home, theamusement provider is providing a great incentive for that rider totravel to the location of the motion simulator time and time again inorder to try the ride sequence that the rider has created.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present inventionspecifically shown and described are merely exemplary and that a personskilled in the art can make alternate embodiments using differentconfigurations and functionally equivalent components. All suchalternate embodiments are intended to be included in the scope of thisinvention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for programming and controlling a motionsimulator, comprising:memory containing a selection of differentpredetermined maneuvers capable of being simulated by the motionsimulator; interface for selecting sequences from said selection ofdifferent predetermined maneuvers; linking means for linking saidselected sequences into an assembled ride of predetermined maneuvers;transfer means for transferring said assembled ride of predeterminedmaneuvers to the motion simulator; wherein said assembled ride ofpredetermined maneuvers instructs the motion simulator to simulate saidassembled ride of predetermined maneuvers.
 2. The system according toclaim 1, further including a display for displaying images illustrativeof motion sequences of said assembled ride of predetermined maneuvers.3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said interface includes atouch screen for selecting sequences from said selection of differentpredetermined by touching a location of an image corresponding to one ofsaid selection of different predetermined maneuvers.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said interface including a disk drive,wherein said assembled ride of predetermined maneuvers are read from adisk via said disk drive.
 5. The system according to claim 1, whereinsaid interface includes a modem, wherein said assembled ride ofpredetermined maneuvers are loaded at a remote location via modem. 6.The system according to claim 1, wherein said interface includes akeyboard selecting sequences from said selection of differentpredetermined of maneuvers from said memory.
 7. The system according toclaim 2, wherein the motion simulator simulates an amusement ride wherea vehicle travels along a track and said images show segments of saidtrack for said amusement ride.
 8. The system according to claim 1,further including a display for displaying a graphical representation ofsaid assembled ride of predetermined maneuvers.
 9. A method ofprogramming and operating a motion simulator comprising the stepsof:providing a selection of different predetermined maneuvers capable ofbeing simulated by the motion simulator; selecting sequences from saidselection of different predetermined maneuvers; linking said selectedsequences into an assembled ride of predetermined maneuvers;transferring said assembled ride of predetermined maneuvers to themotion simulator; and enabling the motion simulator to perform saidassembled ride of predetermined maneuvers.
 10. The method according toclaim 8, further including the step of displaying a graphicalrepresentation illustrative of motion sequences of said assembled rideof predetermined maneuvers.
 11. The method according to claim 9 whereinsaid different predetermined maneuvers correspond to visual information,audio information and motion sequence information for the motionsimulator.
 12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step ofassembling further comprises providing transitions between said selectedsequences such that no sudden change in orientation occurs during saidtransitions.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step oftransferring includes the substeps of:downloading said assembled ride ofpredetermined maneuvers to a recordable medium and uploading saidassembled ride of predetermined maneuvers to the motion simulator fromsaid recordable medium.
 14. The method according to claim 9, whereinsaid step of transferring includes the substeps of:using atelecommunication link to the motion simulator to transfer saidassembled ride of predetermined maneuvers to the motion simulator.
 15. Amethod of operating a motion simulator capable of carrying a rider,comprising the steps of:storing a plurality of predetermined maneuversin a memory, wherein said motion simulator is capable of performing eachof said predetermined maneuvers; having the rider select a sequence ofsome of said predetermined maneuvers from said memory; loading saidsequence of predetermined maneuvers into the motion simulator; executingsaid sequence of predetermined maneuvers wherein the rider experiencessaid sequence of predetermined maneuvers.
 16. The method according toclaim 15, wherein each of said plurality of predetermined maneuversbegin and end with the motion simulator being in a common predeterminedposition.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said step ofhaving the rider select a sequence of predetermined maneuvers includesthe substeps of:displaying said plurality of predetermined maneuvers ona display; and selecting said sequence by referencing differentpredetermined maneuvers show on said display.
 18. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein said step of having the rider select a sequence ofpredetermined maneuvers includes the substeps of:selecting said sequencewith a computer at a location remote from the motion simulator;recording said sequence on a portable recording medium; bringing saidrecording medium to the motion simulator; and loading said sequence fromsaid recording medium to the motion simulator.
 19. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein said step of having the rider select a sequence ofpredetermined maneuvers includes the substeps of:identifying some ofsaid predetermined maneuvers on a computer at a location remote from themotion simulator; establishing a telecommunication link between saidcomputer and the motion simulator; and downloading said identifiedpredetermined maneuvers to the motion simulator over saidtelecommunications link.
 20. The method according to claim 17, whereinthe motion simulator simulates an amusement ride where a vehicle travelsalong a track and said display shows segments of track for saidamusement ride.
 21. The method according to claim 15, further comprisingthe step of displaying a graphical representation of said sequence ofpredetermined maneuvers.
 22. The method according to claim 20 whereinsaid amusement ride is a roller coaster.